Browsing by Author "Holzman, Laura"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Casting (off) Reality
    (2019) Craig, Sydney W.; Winship, Andrew; Holzman, Laura; Potter, William
    My artwork examines the realm of the subconscious through constructed symbols, such as puppets, shadows, and theatrical allusions; through the visual and contextual language of these symbols, I question the lines drawn between fiction and reality. My work explores the construction of personal realities, and I propose that perceived realities are reflections of the often denied subconscious, which is a critical component of reality. In the following sections, I examine Paul Klee's influence on my artwork as I discuss his use of puppets and metaphor. I also explore my use of puppet and shadow symbols as they relate to psychoanalysis as I question the distinctions made between reality and fantasy, which parallels consciousness and subconsciousness.
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    Objects for Engaging Community
    (2016) McNeelan, Kimberly; Robinson, Cory; Holzman, Laura; Nordgulen, Eric
    A strong community has regard for ecological health, personal health, and intellectual health for everyone. As an artist and a designer, I create functional sculptures that encourage awareness and action towards creating a more vibrant society comprised of strong communities. These intriguing forms entice viewers to investigate what the sculptures offer. The take away may be a book, a packet of seeds for plants that will benefit pollinating insects, a seedling to grow your own vegetable plant, or just the thought that these elements are part of a healthy and locally focused community. Through my art and woodworking, I strive to have a conversation with the public about what is needed for a satisfactory life.
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    People + Property
    (The House Life Project, 2018) Brickwell, M; VanWinkle, T; Holzman, Laura
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    A Question of Stature: Restoring and Ignoring Rocky
    (Public Art Dialogue, 2014) Holzman, Laura
    This article examines 25 years of debate surrounding the Rocky statue, a bronze sculpture of fictional boxer Rocky Balboa that was created as a movie prop for Sylvester Stallone’s 1982 movie, Rocky III. After Stallone presented the sculpture as a gift to Philadelphia, local officials, residents and Stallone himself clashed over whether it belonged on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art where countless individuals flocked to reenact Rocky’s iconic run up the museum’s steps. Critics who identified the statue as an advertisement for the film series or as a movie prop, but not as a work of fine art, argued that it would be more appropriately installed at the city’s sports complex. Traditional media outlets presented a reduced version of events that pitted everyday Rocky fans against elitist art snobs. The statue was linked to class-related conflicts in Philadelphia but it also played a role in the city’s attempt to navigate its relationship to an imagined cultural heritage. I propose that the case of the Rocky statue is more complex than the simple high/low dichotomy presented by journalists and agitated observers. Over time, the statue was transformed into a city icon that was first highlighted by, and then implicitly included in, Philadelphia’s tourism initiatives.
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    Sculpture in Gotham: Art and Urban Renewal in New York City
    (Public Art Dialogue, 2019) Holzman, Laura